The meaning of Mordant

adjective

(especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright.

Usage examples:

His acerbic wit

noun

A substance with particular chemical properties including turning litmus red, neutralizing alkalis, and dissolving some metals; typically, a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid of this kind.

Usage examples:

Trees were exposed to mixtures of heavy metals, acids, and overdoses of nutrients

adjective

Containing acid or having the properties of an acid; having a ph of less than 7.

Usage examples:

Acid soils

noun

Any of various chemical substances that can produce salts, some of which are able to damage whatever they touch

Usage examples:

The salad dressing has an acid taste.

adjective

Causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues.

Usage examples:

An astringent skin lotion

noun

An astringent lotion applied to the skin to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions or as a cosmetic to make the skin less oily.

Usage examples:

Alcohol-based astringents and toners can make skin even drier.

adjective

An astringent substance causes the skin or other tissue to tighten

Usage examples:

An astringent cream, astringent criticism, her astringent wit, the astringent taste of the herbs fi…

adjective

(of insects and certain other animals) able to wound the skin with a sting or fangs.

Usage examples:

A cream to ward off biting insects

verb

(of a person or animal) use the teeth to cut into or through something.

Usage examples:

He bit off a piece of cheese

noun

A bite-sized piece of food; a small snack, appetizer, or canapé.

Usage examples:

The hotel bar serves cocktails and delicious bitings

adjective

Having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet.

Usage examples:

Raw berries have an intensely bitter flavour

noun

Beer that is strongly flavoured with hops and has a bitter taste, brewed by top fermentation.

Usage examples:

A pint of bitter

adjective

Having a slightly stinging, strong taste, not salty or sweet

Usage examples:

The coffee was bitter., losing the election was a bitter disappointment., she has no bitterness abo…

adjective

Able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action.

Usage examples:

A caustic cleaner

noun

A caustic substance.

Usage examples:

Spent grain, yeast, ethanol, and acids and caustics used for cleaning are all sent out to be used f…

adjective

Strongly critical

Usage examples:

A caustic remark

adjective

Expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgements.

Usage examples:

I was very critical of the previous regime

adjective

Of the greatest importance

Usage examples:

Critical industries, what happens in the next 48 hours is critical., he was admitted to metropolita…

adjective

Extremely important to the progress or success of something

Usage examples:

Critical to/for sth logistics and distribution are critical to an e-commerce venture's success., cr…

noun

The action of cutting something.

Usage examples:

The cutting of the cake

adjective

Capable of cutting something.

Usage examples:

The cutting blades of the hedge trimmer

verb

Make an opening, incision, or wound in (something) with a sharp-edged tool or object.

Usage examples:

He cut his toe on a sharp stone

adjective

Highly destructive or damaging.

Usage examples:

A devastating cyclone

verb

Destroy or ruin.

Usage examples:

The city was devastated by a huge earthquake

adjective

Causing great damage or suffering to something or someone

Usage examples:

Devastating criticisms, it will have a devastating impact on the economy.

adjective

(of a person or mental process) intelligently analytical and clear-thinking.

Usage examples:

She was an incisive critic

adjective

Having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm.

Usage examples:

A keen gardener

verb

Wail in grief for a dead person.

Usage examples:

The body of johnny was taken by his own people who keened over him

noun

An irish funeral song accompanied by wailing in lamentation for the dead.

adjective

Having or showing shrewdness or keen intelligence.

Usage examples:

Her piercing analysis

noun

A small hole in a part of the body, typically other than the ears, made so as to insert a ring, stud, or other piece of jewellery.

Usage examples:

This is the place to get your tattoo or piercing done

verb

(of a sharp pointed object) go into or through (something).

Usage examples:

A splinter had pierced the skin

noun

A politician.

Usage examples:

He was the kind of pol you could understand

adjective

Having a sharply strong taste or smell.

Usage examples:

The pungent smell of frying onions

adjective

(of a smell or taste) very strong, sometimes in an unpleasant way

Usage examples:

Pungent odors

adjective

Marked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt.

Usage examples:

Making sarcastic comments

adjective

Using remarks that clearly mean the opposite of what you say, in order to hurt someone's feelings or to humorously criticize something

Usage examples:

A sarcastic comment/remark, are you being sarcastic?

adjective

Grimly mocking or cynical.

Usage examples:

Starkey attempted a sardonic smile

adjective

Witheringly scornful; severely critical.

Usage examples:

She launched a scathing attack on the prime minister

verb

Harm; injure.

Usage examples:

He was barely scathed

adjective

Severely critical and unkind

Usage examples:

He delivered a scathing attack on the president.

adjective

(of an object) having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce something.

Usage examples:

Cut the cake with a very sharp knife

adverb

Precisely (used after an expression of time).

Usage examples:

The meeting starts at 7.30 sharp

noun

A musical note raised a semitone above natural pitch.

Usage examples:

Choices in successive levels expand to all notes, then sharps and flats.

adjective

Having a sting; capable of wounding or piercing with a sting.

Usage examples:

A swarm of stinging insects

verb

Wound or pierce with a sting.

Usage examples:

He was stung by a jellyfish

noun

An open pastry case containing a sweet or savoury filling.

Usage examples:

An apple tart

verb

Dress or make oneself up in order to look attractive.

Usage examples:

I tarted myself up for the night

adjective

Sharp or acid in taste.

Usage examples:

A tart apple

adjective

Vigorous or incisive in expression or style.

Usage examples:

The white paper makes trenchant criticisms of health authorities

adjective

(of something said or written) forcefully and effectively expressed, and often in few words

Usage examples:

I enjoy reading murray’s trenchant comments on the relationship between sports and society.